3. The links re-direct to the new forum and to the correct page. Do they need fixing regardless?

4. Can't see anything wrong with this.

5. I like this idea but if we're linking to amazon then people may purchase second hand copies and surely we'd want people to support the artists and buy first hand copies if they like the music. Maybe link to the record label shop instead?

I like this idea but if we're linking to amazon then people may purchase second hand copies and surely we'd want people to support the artists and buy first hand copies if they like the music. Maybe link to the record label shop instead?

I don't think it matters whether people buy used or new. The supply of the CD is depleted and the payment has gone to the artist, who is paid by wholesale and not retail. Further, this gets us closer to getting a re-press on many of these CDs as it depletes the stores of secondary merchants who will then send in requests to the label, which is the only way a label knows to repress. Regarding the label stores, that's a nifty thought but... they're way less consistent. These Amazon links could have been set up fifteen years ago and they'd still be valid. Less than 10% at best of label links would be that way.

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Also, I'd try and see if we could leverage the referral system amazon has. It could go to help hosting costs.

Yes, that's what we've set up. There's an Amazon search form to make it easier to find CDs on Amazon, and instructions for adding the referrer link in the FAQ.

3.

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The links re-direct to the new forum and to the correct page. Do they need fixing regardless?

Yes, we don't want to be linking to the old site and we lose those search engine keywords that way. We want people to be able to find a download with a Google search. Since we're offering up out of print, obscure, old and generally un-hip stuff anyway I think we're off the radar of enforcement authorities. Our biggest problem is people not finding the links, so they go stale and get deleted by the hosts.

I don't think it matters whether people buy used or new. The supply of the CD is depleted and the payment has gone to the artist, who is paid by wholesale and not retail. Further, this gets us closer to getting a re-press on many of these CDs as it depletes the stores of secondary merchants who will then send in requests to the label, which is the only way a label knows to repress. Regarding the label stores, that's a nifty thought but... they're way less consistent. These Amazon links could have been set up fifteen years ago and they'd still be valid. Less than 10% at best of label links would be that way.

Good idea then. I'm going to fix those links pointed to the old forum and then start changing the audiofile threads into the new format. But when I'm linking to Amazon I'm going to label it as "Buy CD" instead of putting a price as I'm sure the prices will change.

I ended up rejecting it for similar reasons. Also: winRAR is essential equipment for any Windows installation, so it makes sense to see it as a de facto standard and take advantage of that. Network effects.

But when I'm linking to Amazon I'm going to label it as "Buy CD" instead of putting a price as I'm sure the prices will change.

I'd appreciate it if you'd put the price in there, since many of these CDs are $3-$5 and that shows how easy, cheap and simple it is to acquire a collection. We want to motivate people to pick them up. I don't think the prices will change because demand and supply aren't going to change much at this point, unless we make them so popular they get repressed, and then it'll be a joy to change.

I'd appreciate it if you'd put the price in there, since many of these CDs are $3-$5 and that shows how easy, cheap and simple it is to acquire a collection. We want to motivate people to pick them up. I don't think the prices will change because demand and supply aren't going to change much at this point, unless we make them so popular they get repressed, and then it'll be a joy to change.

What makes Audiofile tough is broken windows theory. If people see dead links, disorder, etc. they're not going to help out and may even vandalize. If we get the whole thing orderly, we'll see more usage, contributions and less pointless behavior.